Field marshal (Uganda) explained

Field marshal was the highest rank in the military of Uganda, during the regime of Idi Amin.

History of the rank

On 17 July 1975, Idi Amin, President of Uganda and the commander-in-chief of the country's military at the time, the Uganda Army (UA), awarded himself the rank of field marshal.^{[1] [2]} Officially, the rank was given to Amin by the Defence Council (which he himself chaired). Amin was then decorated with the rank insignia by Maj. Gen. Mustafa Adrisi at a function held at the State House in the capital, Entebbe.^[2]

Present status

Presently, the highest ranking individual in the current Ugandan military, the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) is President Yoweri Museveni, who uses the rank of general.^[3] In 2021, there were calls by Defence Minister Charles Engola to promote Museveni to the rank of field marshal as well.^[4] The UPDF announced that Museveni will be awarded the rank in the next promotions.^[5]

See also

• Military history of Uganda
• Uganda Army (1962–1971)
• Uganda Army (1971–1980)
• Rank insignia of the Ugandan People's Defense Force

Notes and References

1. Web site: . Notes on People . July 17, 1975 . March 31, 2019.
2. Web site: . How Amin became Field Marshal . July 18, 2021 . September 25, 2021.
3. Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces Act . The Uganda Gazette . 18 September 2019 . CXII . 46 . 1851–1854 . 29 May 2021 . Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation . 14 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210814162155/https://www.updf.go.ug/Gazette.pdf . dead .
4. Web site: . Minister says Museveni should be promoted to Field Marshal . May 6, 2021 . September 25, 2021.
5. Web site: Ekyooto Uganda . Emmanuel Busingye . UPDF to crown Museveni 'Field Marshal' in next promotion . May 5, 2021 . September 25, 2021.